FIXTITLE Kenneth Pascoe.docx
UNVEILING AMBITION
The Story
Of
Kenneth Pascoe
Throughout life, we naturally grow older and become mature with age. We continue to learn and develop in many ways, often unseen to the eye. We strive to be more in tune with ourselves in all aspects, in order to find our way in this world. Being content with your surroundings affects your judgment. Are you happy with your job? Is your relationship good enough? Should you move? There are so many hidden factors that shape your life and help you realize who you really are and what initially makes you happy. Once you seem to line everything in order, your life will begin to find meaning.
Trying to figure out what to do when you’ve reached your adult life can be somewhat of a grey area. We all know that as a grown-up, with that expectation comes responsibilities. Starting a family, taking care of home and the obvious; maintaining a form of income. Jumping into the work force is inevitable. The tricky part is finding your niche along the way.
Kenneth Pascoe, or also known as Kenny, can vouch for the many others that are in search of a similar goal. Kenny’s desire for success surfaced at an early age, but unfortunately he has had more luck traveling down either a dead end road or running completely into a brick wall. He was born the oldest of three children, in Paris, Texas. Kenny had an idea since his childhood of how his life should unfold. It was his journey along the way that helped mold and develop him, eventually leading him to the right path.
As a child, Kenny had the best of both worlds growing up. He lived out in the country during his younger years. Afterwards, his family relocated to the city. He was able to get a taste of what he describes later as his favorite pastime. He spent a lot of his free time as a child at the lake enjoying all types of water activities and camping.
His grandfather, whom he greatly admired for a number of reasons, had a huge impact on Kenny’s future. Some of Kenny’s best childhood memories include his grandfather and riding around in his work truck. It was during that time, while cruising the roads with his mentor, his two favorite things were aligned. His grandpa and a truck. That contentment and happiness from genuine moments such as these candid visions are exactly what led Kenny to the seat of his own truck today.
Due to his grandfather’s failing health following a massive heart attack, Kenny’s family moved to Dallas, Texas to be closer to the hospital. Kenny turned 16 in August of 2002. The following February his grandpa passed away. In his final wishes, he gave Kenny his 1979 F150. He said, “That truck was the one thing I wanted and he knew that it would make me happy being able to keep a part of him with me. It was midnight blue and I loved it!” His vehicle wasn’t the only gift passed down to Kenny. What he left behind was a reflection of himself, that of which Kenny held in high regard with the utmost respect. As a young teenager, Kenny knew that trucking provided his grandfather with a decent life and along with the obvious; a truck. He had admired his grandfather for his career that he sustained through the trucking industry and later followed his exact footsteps.
Kenny landed his first job as a teenager at a local pharmacy, working as a cashier. He worked full-time, between his hours of school for two years, until he graduated high school in 2005. The next year, Kenny decided to venture out and moved away from Texas. He landed in Denver, Colorado and quickly found a job at another pharmacy. He made it half of a year before he found his way back home. Undecided, without a clue of where to turn, Kenny slipped into a territory all too familiar for the average twenty year old.
While contemplating his next move, Kenny hadn’t quite honed in on his natural talents yet. Bouncing between a couple of odd jobs, he began learning a little more about himself. He took a position as a cook for a restaurant and fell in love with the entire aspect of the job. Cooking became his outlet and he was good at it. After two years passed, he was ready to embark on a new challenge. An area that had a special meaning.
What sparked this feeling for a fresh change came unexpectedly and out of the blue, but was welcomed and very much needed with perfect timing. Kenny had reconnected with his biological father after being apart, without any contact for over 23 years. Here is when Kenny’s second clue hit him. He learned that his father was also a professional truck driver. At the time, he was traveling over the road and Kenny realized right then that his calling had as much purpose and determination as his family history.
Sadly, Kenny’s father died in a tragic auto accident six weeks later. He needed to find a positive way to stay connected to both his father and his grandfather. These were the two men closest to him, that he wanted to make proud. He decided it was time. He earned his CDL and began searching for his first trucking company. He says, “My dad is the biggest reason I got into trucking… my grandfather paved the way, but meeting my dad and finding out that he was a truck driver sealed the deal.” Together they pointed Kenny in the proper direction.
In July 2012, Kenny found a reliable trucking company that had an office located in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. He was hired on as a company driver and placed in a 2010 Freightliner Columbia. “They’re a great starter company for drivers. I can remember my first load. I was hauling aluminum out of Indiana to outside of Boston.” He had finally made it. A few weeks had passed, but the money he was hoping to be bringing in wasn’t where he needed it to be. After some thought, Kenny came off of the road.
Soon after, he landed a gig rolling beer for a distributing company. His daily stops were to liquor or beer stores and local grocery chains. About a year went by and Kenny began itching to get back behind the wheel. He reached out to his previous employer to finish out his contract, returning in July 2013. “I have a good relationship with my dispatcher and that means a lot to me,” he says. That August he began running team with his partner, David and together they drove OTR, hauling to all 48 states.
Spring of 2014, Kenny switched trucking companies and ran solo for a few months. Regretting the change, he quickly went back. This time leasing his first truck. A gold 2011 Freightliner Cascadia. With David back on board running team again, it was like Kenny never skipped a beat. Along for the ride are their two puppies, Baby Girl and Koda Bear. When they are working, they usually tend to stay out 4 to 6 weeks at a time and then home maybe 4 days. “We carry any and everything that can fit into a dry box.” He continues, “My favorite part though, is getting to see the countryside. I love to travel the back roads!” His appreciation for the scenic route stems from his adolescence and continues to bring him happiness from the view of his front seat.
Since Kenny has committed to his trucking career, he has totaled up 150,000 safe miles. While David has earned his own of 125,000. When Kenny is not on the road, he enjoys spending time with his family. He visits with his mother and mema, but his nieces and nephews get the most attention. He explains, “When I go home they are the first people I see. We all live in the same town of Terrell. The kids are all under the age of five and love me to death! They call me their Uncle Bubbe.” I can hear the affection in his voice as he talks about his loved ones, as if he is smiling. The same tone he speaks with when discussing his life as a trucker. “Trucking is the perfect job for me. It’s like my office on the road and at the same time, I get the pleasure of seeing our beautiful country.” Besides the fact that Kenny has grown to love and accept his fate, he is finally living for himself. Simply by making his mark in the industry as a truck driver and setting the example for new comers trying to find their place. Experience is earned from putting in long hours and dedicating a life’s worth of hard work, but every success story must have a beginning… and Kenny is just getting started.